< Previous20 February 2023 DUBAI 100 Beginning with the launch of the group in 1998, Chedid embarked on a two-decade journey, building a leading insurance and rein- surance powerhouse that operates across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and South Asia. Chedid Re, one of its subsidiaries, is recognised among the top reinsurance brokers worldwide and is a registered Lloyd’s broker. Under his helm, Chedid Capital Holding today includes Chedid Re, Chedid Insurance Brokers Network, Ascoma and Chedid Corporate Solutions, among others, with over 1,6 employees across 64 subsid- iaries. In 9, the Group established Seib Insurance in Qatar, which deals in corporate and complex risks. In 15, Chedid Capital acquired a major stake in City Brokers, the leading insurance provider in Mauri- tius and East Africa, and Al Manarah Insurance Services in the UAE. Chedid’s growth philosophy has equally focused on investments in industry-wide education and knowledge exchange, the impetus for the launch of the Corporate Risk Management Institute, CRMI, in . In 1, Chedid Capital acquired majority shares in Groupe Ascoma, the rst and largest independent brokerage network in sub-Saharan Africa with 9 subsidiaries and head o ces in Monaco with international operations o ces in Paris. In , the Group continued its upwards digital transformation by acquiring BuyAnyInsurance, UAE’s leading aggregator, and intends to expand in the territories it operates in. His contribution to the insurance eld has been recognised with many accolades over the years, including The Middle East and Africa Industry Achiever of the Year by Global Re and Strategic Risk consor- tium in 16. A fellow of the Middle East Leadership Initiative (MELI), member of The Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN), Chedid also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees at Notre Dame University, Lebanon; as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador; and is a member of Human Rights Watch, Beirut Committee. FARID CHEDID FINANCE Lebanon is where we started, where we will always return to, and we will always be proud to belong to this country 1,600 The number of professionals employed by Chedid Capital Holding across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South Asia Chairman, founder and Group CEO CHEDID CAPITAL HOLDING 53arabianbusiness.com 21 DUBAI 100 54 56 55 57 ALISHA MOOPEN BADR JAFAR KABIR MULCHANDANI Infl uencerDeputy managing director ASTER DM HEALTHCARE President and CEO CRESCENT ENTERPRISES Founder and chairman FIVE GROUP Managing the compa- ny’s operations in India and GCC, Moopen joined the company as a director in 2013, and is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction and devel- opment of the company. She will be spearheading the expansion of the group into new markets which is currently present in 7 countries with a network of 30 hospitals, 121 clinics, and 459 pharmacies. A chartered accountant from the ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland), Moopen had previ- ously worked with Ernst & Young. As an active philan- thropist, Moopen is a trustee of Aster DM Foundation and is involved the Aster Volun- teers programme. She has also steered Aster DM Healthcare’s recently launched Wellth, described as the rst of its kind in the UAE. A hub of integrative medicine in the UAE, Wellth will offer complementary therapies including functional medicine, nutrition therapy, Ayurveda, yoga, mental and emotional health, reiki, Chinese medi- cine, and homeopathy. In addition to his role as CEO, Jafar is also the chairman of Gulftainer, the largest privately owned container port operator in the world; and Pearl Petro- leum, a partnership between Crescent Petro- leum, Dana Gas, OMV of Austria, MOL of Hungary and RWEST of Germany. A member of the UN Secre- tary General’s High-Level Panel on Humanitarian Financing, he also fulfils the roles of several advisory positions in the humanitar- ian and development sectors, is a member of the UNESCO International Commission on the Futures of Education, and is a member of the Board of overseers of the Interna- tional Rescue Committee (IRC). An avid believer of the role of the arts in inno- vation economies, Badr founded the non-profit Middle East Theatre Acad- emy (META) to help moti- vate the region’s youth and promote self-expression, using various art forms such as writing, directing, producing, and acting. Considered a market leader and a market disruptor, real estate developer Mulchan- dani is the man behind the FIVE Hotels & Resorts in Dubai, a hotspot for millen- nials seeking award-win- ning experiential lifestyle experiences amidst Dubai’s burgeoning hospitality landscape. FIVE Holdings was founded in 2011 as SKAI Holdings and later, its name was changed to FIVE. Under their feather cap is also the FIVE Palm Jumeirah Hotel as well as FIVE Jumeirah Village, a landmark hotel tower with 59 oors. Inter- nationally, FIVE’s most anticipated luxury lifestyle international launch, FIVE Zurich, is merging Dubai’s glamour with Swiss hospi- tality in Zurich and launched on 30 June 2022. The prop- erty includes 7 culinary and nightlife venues, 87 luxuri- ous suites and rooms and a unique outdoor social pool. Aligned with FIVE’s digitally forward philosophy, the property will accept crypto pa yments, namely Ethereum and Bitcoin. An influential Yo u Tuber from Dubai frequently seen at super car events, 26-year-old Mo Vlogs moved to London with his sister to attend higher education at Queens Mary University where he launched his rst You Tube channel in 2013. After he returned to Dubai, the channel grew more success- ful and was followed by the launch of his second chan- nel ‘Mo Vlogs’, shining a spotlight on the opulent Dubai lifestyle and super- cars. Some of the videos that quickly propelled him to global stardom include ‘rich kids of Dubai’ and ‘racing my cars in front of Buggati’, amongst others. According to his channel’s statistics, he has amassed over 11 million subscribers on his YouTube channel as of 2023 and has worked with some of the most popular YouTubers, including Adam Saleh, Logan Paul, and Andrew Tate. He is also the proud owner several luxury cars, including Bugatti, Ferrari, and others. HEALTHCARE LOGISTICS HOSPITALITYSOCIAL MEDIA MO VLOGS22 February 2023 DUBAI 100 58 5960 61 RICHARD TENG ADNAN CHILWAN PATRICK CHALHOUB Founder and lawyer HABIB AL MULLA AND PARTNERS CEO BINANCE SINGAPORE Group CEO DUBAI ISLAMIC BANK (DIB) CEO CHALHOUB GROUP A seasoned finance expert with over years of financial services and regulatory expe- rience, Teng was previously Binance MENA’s regional head, where he helped to expand the regional crypto- currency ecosystem and foster an ecosystem of innovation. Previously, he held the role of CEO of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority at Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), where he steered ADGM towards gaining international recognition by global regula- tors and industry bodies. Under Teng’s leadership, FSRA launched multiple rsts in the region, including digital bank- ing, venture capital, FinTech regulatory sandbox, private REIT regime, manager licens- ing regime, and a framework for digital asset exchanges. Prior to ADGM, he was the director of Corporate Finance in the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the chief regulatory o cer of the Singa- pore Exchange (SGX) where he helmed the regulation Group responsible for rule formation, framework, policy across list- ing, trading, and clearing. A recognised expert in Islamic banking and finance, Chilwan is backed by an extensive bank- ing career that spans over two decades. Establishing Islamic Banking and Finance as a global norm, he steered the growth of Islamic nance as DIB became a member of UAE Trade Connect, a commercialised blockchain platform co-created by Etis- alat Digital, Avanza Innova- tions, and multiple banks in the UAE in February . Recognised as a formidable force in Islamic finance, in June , DIB became the rst Islamic bank in the UAE to go live with the Arab Monetary Fund’s Buna system, the regional cross-border payment plat- form for the Arab Region. Buna will enable financial institutions and Central Banks to receive and send cross-border multicurrency payments in a transparent, safe, and cost-effective manner and is operated by the Arab Regional Payments, Clearing and Settlement Organisation, a subsidiary of the Arab Monetary Fund. A leading luxury retail distribution company headquar- tered in Dubai, Chalhoub’s family business began in 1955 in Damascus, Syria. They later shifted base and its activities to Beirut and in 198 , went on to launch their rst Louis Vuitton boutique in the Middle East region. However, the Kuwaiti inva- sion sparked the move of the Group and activities to Dubai in 199 . After he joined the business, Chalhoub devel- oped a regional distribution platform in the Jebel Ali Free zone and by 1, he was appointed co-chief executive o cer alongside his brother. Steered by his expertise, Chalhoub Group joined exclusive collaborations with several brands, including Sephora, Dior Couture, alongside the launch of fully owned concept stores, including the Level Shoe District in Dubai Mall. He has also been instrumental in guiding the development of a sustainability strategy with a focus on sustainability across education, environment, and humanitarianism. One of the UAE’s most highly respected legal authorities, Dr Al Mulla has over 8 years of experience in UAE law and was instrumental in drafting many of Dubai’s modern legislative structures. He was the architect of the legal framework establishing DIFC, the UAE’s rst nan- cial free zone. Also a frequent commentator on the legisla- tion and economy of Dubai, he is often consulted to draft and advise on Federal and Emirate level laws. Previ- ously, he served as chairman of the Legislative Committee of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). Over the years, Dr Al Mulla has been responsible for several key government positions including as a member of the federal parliament of the UAE, the UAE Federal National Coun- cil, member of the Legisla- tive Committee, and a member of the Economic Committee. Most recently, he served as chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Dubai International Arbitra- tion Centre (DIAC). BLOCKCHAINBANKINGRETAILLEGAL Dr. HABIB AL MULLAarabianbusiness.com 23 DUBAI 100 62636465 MAGNUS OLSSON THOMAS LUNDGREN GHAITH AL GHAITH Chef REIF KUSHIYAKI Co-founder and chief product architect CAREEM Founder THE ONE CEO FLYDUBAI Prior to his role at Careem, a grass- roots ride-sharing app that has grown into a full-fledged platform, Olson held the role of an engagement manager at McKinsey & Company where he fostered strategy and business building for clients. He moved to the Middle East in 2006, and prior to the pandemic in early 2020, he met Mudas- sir Sheikha at McKinsey & Company. With Careem, they aspired to build something both ‘big and meaningful’ in the Middle East. Today, Careem offers food and grocery delivery and payments, partner services such as home cleaning and ride hailing, micro mobility and more. Acquired by Uber for $3 billion in 2020, the brand still aims to simplify and improve lives. Now Olson and Sheikha are working towards building their Super App, which promises to kickstart a digital future and help to empower the start-up ecosystem. A unique retailer who refers to his a orda- ble luxury furniture brand stores as theatres, Lundgren launched its rst store in Abu Dhabi in 1996. And today across the MENA region, the brand boasts over 22 stores and 1 Bistro Restaurant across the Middle East and North Africa, with over 560 sta . Fascinated by furniture, he still plays a role in the design at THE One and curates around 60 percent of the creations showcased at his stores. A UAE grown lifestyle brand showcasing seasonal collections of affordable home fashion, Lundgren supports multiple local and international charities and employs specially individu- als. The brand promotes their Do Good initiatives, which include ethical sourcing, challenged employees, local volunteer- ing as well as global educa- tion through THE Oneder- world. THE One brand today consists of: THE One; FUSION by THE One; THE One Basics; THEOne.com; and THE One Bistro. A hands-on leader with decades of commer- cial aviation experi- ence, Al Ghaith was selected by the Dubai government to head budget carrier Flydubai, since it launched on 1 June 2009. With several achieve- ments to his name, he has implemented products and pioneering technologies to improve the passenger expe- rience, while ensuring that costs remain low. Responsi- ble for Flydubai’s strategic direction, Al Ghaith collabo- rates closely with Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the group’s chair- man. Prior to this role, for 14 years, he was the executive vice-president for commer- cial operations worldwide for Emirates. He joined Emirates as a management trainee in 1986 and in 1988, transitioned to deputy passenger sales manager for the UAE and next to deputy manager for over- seas development and marketing. He became the UK and Ireland’s area manager in 1991, and then general manager for commercial operations for North America and Europe in 1993. Known f o r his unique J apa - nese-inspired creations, Othman is one of the few fully self-funded chef-restaurateurs in the UAE. Though he started his career as a nance broker in Singapore, he ultimately followed his passion and began training with chef Violet Oon. He next joined Ra es Grill restaurant in 2007, and then moved to Dubai to work at Al Mahara restau- rant in Burj Al Arab. He ultimately moved to Zuma in 2009 where he steered its success until 2015. He also helped to launch H Hotel’s Play Restaurant & Lounge followed by TERO by Reif Othman where he devel- oped his signature wagyu katsu sando. Taking a leap of faith, in 2019, Othman launched Reif Kushiyaki inside Jumeirah’s Dar Wasl mall which by popular demand, led to a branch at Time Out Market Dubai with plans for REIF Japanese Kushiyaki in Dubai Hills. TRANSPORTRETAILAVIATION HOSPITALITY REIF OTHMAN24 February 2023 DUBAI 100 66676869 OLA DOUDIN FADIE MUSALLET Dr. PRAMOD WARHEKAR Founder and chairman DANUBE PROPERTIES CEO and co-founder BITOASIS Deal broker and entertainer ENTREPRENEUR Consultant ophthalmologist and lasik surgeon MEDICLINIC CITY HOSPITAL A pioneer in the region’s cryptocurrency ecosystem, Doudin launched the rst cryptocur- rency platform in the Middle East in 15. BitOasis is MENA’s largest digital asset trading exchange and plat- form headquartered in the UAE. It currently aims its services at individuals, profes- sional traders, and investors across the region and interna- tionally. In 1 , Doudin purchased her first-ever Bitcoin and was compelled by its potential, and one year later, she launched BitOasis. This online wallet and exchange is available across the MENA region, and was the first to use multi-signature technology to protect digital assets. More recently, accord- ing to a Reuters report, BitOa- sis signed a deal with Master- card for crypto-linked cards which will enable BitOasis customers in the MENA region to make purchases online or at points of sale. This collabora- tion will help to add an element of consumer protec- tion which currently does not exist when paying with a digi- tal asset. Best known for help- ing create mega stars and now a familiar face on Netflix’s Dubai Bling, Musallet embarked on his career rst in the medical sales eld. To be nearer to his mother in Palestine, he moved to Dubai eight years ago. His deal brokering across entertainment and entre- preneurship has merited Musallet a glittery interna- tional reputation with in u- encers, celebrities, rappers, and more. Against all odds during the covid pandemic, he managed to throw a record-breaking concert titled ‘KISS Goodbye’ with the rock band KISS. A man who has brokered some of the most successful deals for Money Kicks, Lebron James, superstar Kevin Hart, DJ Khaled, and others, was noticed by the Dubai Bling producers. And despite his multi-million dollar deals, Musallet’s larger purpose is his non-profit organisation ‘The Giving Family’, which distribute meals to labour- ers and those in need. With o v er tw o decades of experi- ence in the eld of comprehensive ophthalmology for both children and adults, Dr Warhekar’s expertise in laser surgeries, cataract surgery, and glaucoma have earned him a stellar reputation. Also known for his pioneering Lasik eye surgery techniques, just some of his key areas of expertise include glaucoma evaluation and treatment with medicine cataract phaco-emulsi cation with injectable premium implants; the treatment of keratoconus with corneal crosslinking and intracorneal rings; orthokeratology, a tech- nique using special night-time lenses for glasses-free vision, especially in children; laser and/or surgery, paediatric eye problems, refractive surgery procedures such as Intra LASIK, LASIK, Epi LASIK, PRK corneal collagen cross-linking, and more. A member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and European Society of Cataract and Refrac- tive Surgeons, Dr Warhekar has trained and worked in multiple hospitals across KSA, the UK, as well as in India. Capturing the niche for a ordable housing in the UAE, Sajan’s entrepreneurial journey began when he established a brokerage business buying and selling building materials. This led to the establishment of Danube, which started as a supplier of building materials to hundreds of projects during the Dubai construction boom. When he launched develop- ment company Danube Prop- erties, its first Dreamz by Danube scheme sold out within hours of its 1 launch. This was followed by the launch of Glamz, Starz and Miraclz. the trio it launched in 16: And now, Danube Prop- erties is moving into the high- end real estate development market with Viewz, a set of twin high-rise towers with apartments and Sky Villas. Launched in partnership with Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) master developer, DMCC, the project will feature Aston Martin furnished amenities and interior common areas. Viewz will be developed within Cluster K and is Danube Properties first project in JLT. FINTECHMEDIAHEALTHCAREREAL ESTATE RIZWAN SAJANarabianbusiness.com 25 DUBAI 100 70717273 SAVERIO SBARAGLI SHAJI UL MULK TOM HARVEY CEO DU Chef BURJ AL ARAB Founder and chairman MULK HOLDINGS GM SPINNEYS At the helm of Al Muntaha, a Miche- lin -starr ed, French-Italian ne-dining restaurant located at Burj Al Arab, Sbaragli trained under the French chef Alain Ducasse, the first chef to have three restaurants awarded with three Miche- lin stars simultaneously. Born and raised in Tuscany, he later moved to France to further develop his culinary skills and went on to train under Alain Ducasse and Alain Passard. After master- ing the intricacies of French cooking, Sbaragli returned to Italy where he honed his culinary skills at Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence. He shifted base to Switzerland in 2012 where he received his rst Michelin star at Il Lago, Four Seasons de Bergues Geneva. This was followed by a second Miche- lin star in 2018 as head chef at Tosca, Geneva. And finally, his joined Al Muntaha, which means ‘the ultimate’ in Arabic, as the head chef where he reinter- prets classic French ne-dining cuisine. A global business powerhouse, Ul Mulk has steered Mulk Holdings to diversify interests in the manufac- ture of building facades, facade contracting, health- care, plastics and sports assets with operations and manufacturing bases in the US, Europe, India, UAE, Oman, and Ghana. The ag- ship product of the Group is the manufacture and distri- bution of the A2 re-rated aluminium composite panel under the brand name, Alubond A2. The brand has grown into the world’s larg- est aluminium composite panel manufacturer with an installed capacity of 25m2 and installations in more than one hundred coun- tries. He chairs the Mulk Foundation and is respon- sible for philanthropic initi- atives in the UAE and India, o ering free medical clinics, free libraries, support for disabled children and an orphan marriag es programme. An avid cricket enthusiast, Ul Mulk is the only Indian member of the Emirates Cricket Board. After working across several of the leading supermarket groups in UK, Harvey shifted his base to the UAE to join the Spinneys commercial team in 2017. Throughout his six years at Spinneys, he has been responsible for the development of the Spinneys Local Business Incubator Programme, launched in 2020 to help develop busi- nesses within the FMCG sector in the UAE, and to identify and support entre- preneurial ambitions. The programme o ers entrepreneurs a fast track to market with multiple bene- fits as well as helps to support local food produc- tion and stimulate economic growth in the sector. Head- ing a team spread across four continents to source all the products for their Spin- neys stores across the UAE, Oman and KSA, he steers the overall commercial functions for the Group. He is a regular guest speaker on Dubai One TV and DubaiEye radio where he discusses issues related to the food industries. A thought leader in the industry and a promi- nent gure in the ICT sector, Al Hassawi oversees the telecom operations at du’s digital lifestyle and innovation divisions, including infrastruc- ture development, technology, network investment, and the continuous 5G rollout. He has also been instrumental in paving the way for the next generation of Emirati entre- preneurs and business execu- tives. He is also guiding du through its digital transforma- tion program to enhance customer experience and maximise its business and operational capabilities. Committed to boosting the high-growth potential of the SME market and its role in contributing towards UAE’s vision for advancing national economy, du is a one-stop- shop for SME. It provides user- friendly and accessible solu- tions designed to reach more SMEs alongside the tools to grow their businesses. Having juggled multiple leadership roles since du’s establishment in 2006, previously, Al Hassawi was the deputy CEO of EITC, overseeing telecom operations. HOSPITALITY DIVERSIFIED RETAIL TELECOMS FAHAD AL HASSAWI 26 February 2023 DUBAI 100 74757677 CLARENCE SEEDORF HAIDER ALI KHAN TAIM AL FALASI Founder and trustee HARMONY HOUSE, INSIGNIA AND HOME GROWN NURSERY Former footballer SELF-EMPLOYED CEO and board member EMPG Emirati lifestyle infl uencer SELF-EMPLOYED Considered one of the best midfielders of his generation and one of the most successful players in UEFA Champions League history, Seedorf is the only player to have won the Champions League with three clubs: Ajax, Real Madrid, and AC Milan. At age 1 , Seedorf smashed records when he debuted as an exceptional right sided mid elder and the youngest player ever with Ajax Amsterdam. In 199 and 1995, he led the team to win the Eredivisie title, and was voted Dutch talent of the year in 199 and 1994. For Real Madrid, Seedorf’s unforgettable 45-yard strike against the Spanish team Atlético Madrid caught the attention of Inter Milan who hired him ahead of the 1999/ season. Off the eld, Seedorf launched the non-pro t Champions For Children Foundation, devel- oped football schools in the US, Netherlands, and Suri- name, and is an advisor for football academies and foot- ball federations. A tech visionary who has propelled Dubai- Based Emerging Markets Property Group (EMPG) into its promising future, Khan boasts several patents to his name, and has worked with Silicon Labs, Goldman Sachs, and National Instruments in the US. With 1 brands under its wings, EMPG’s classifieds portals constitute some of the most robust brands in their markets across the MENA region, South Asia and South- east Asia. Their flagship ventures include the UAE’s Bayut and Dubizzle; Zameen in Pakistan, OLX in Pakistan and Egypt, Kaidee in Thai- land, Lamudi in Indonesia, Philippines and Mexico, and Mubawab in North Africa. With 17 million visits to the EMPG portals, their diverse team of ,75 people across 1 countries are striving to create the world’s best clas- si eds experience. In a bid to focus on preparing for an initial public o ering in the near future, EMPG raised $m in a funding round in November . A trailb lazer at personal brand building through social media, Al Falasi boasts 4. million followers on Instagram and over half a million followers on her YouTube channel. During her studies at Zayed Univer- sity, she embarked on two humanitarian campaigns and also published an online entertainment magazine. The big moment came when she produced several videos with four celebrities for her magazine which went viral to over half a million viewers on YouTube, which she had joined in July 1 . After recognising a big gap in the region for a strong, female Arabic voice, Al Falasi created the TaimShow, her own online radio show which debuted to over 4 , listeners and cele- brated all things Khaliji. And today, this style icon is best known for her travel, food, and shopping vlogs, and between building her empire, is always searching for new places to visit and get inspired. A humanitarian, entre- preneur, and educator, Bruce and her husband Gaurav Sinha launched Harmony House in December 9, a registered charity in both India and the UK. The House provides food, shelter, education, and medical care for slum children and o ers social support and vocational training to under-privileged mothers and young women. Harmony House launched its second centre in July 1 and today, is comprised of two day-care shelters which support and educate over 1 children whilst providing vocational services and trainin g programmes. The couple also launched Insignia Worldwide in , the region’s leading brand marketing firm in the luxury, travel and hospitality sectors. In 11, Bruce part- nered with Beverly Jatwani to create the Home Grown Chil- dren’s Eco nursery, Dubai’s rst eco and socially responsi- ble children’s nursery concept that promotes a holistic learn- ing environment for children aged from twelve months to four years. SPORTPROPERTY SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING LUCY BRUCEarabianbusiness.com 27 DUBAI 100 78798081 JS ANAND AHMED ABDELAAL MUDASSIR SHEIKHA CEO MEDCARE HOSPITALS & MEDICAL CENTRES CEO LEVA HOTELS CEO MASHREQ CEO and co-founder CAREEM With 20 years of hands-on, diverse experi- ence in the hospitality indus- try, Anand has worked with global hotel giants including Hilton, IHG, and Marriott, and IHG. He has helmed LEVA since its launch in 2018, and today, the Group has ve properties across the MEA region, including its Dubai based flagship Leva Hotel Mayaza Centre. Bagging a Travelers’ Choice Award ranking at the top 10 percent of best hotels worldwide on TripAdvisor in two consecu- tive years in both 2020 and 2021, the brand’s flagship hotel Leva Hotel Mazaya Centre also ranked number seven out of 865 hotels in Dubai on TripAdvisor. Steering their unique portfolio of three comple- mentary and well di erenti- ated hotel brands, these include LEVA Hotels, LEVA Hotel Residences, and EKONO by LEVA. Expansion plans in the pipeline include the addition of 75 new prop- erties to its portfolio by 2032 with locations across MEA and Africa. With o v er tw o decades of expe- rience in senior roles across international and regional banks, Abdelaal brings extensive experience across banking products and services that covers a wide range of disciplines. Just some of these areas include trade nance, payment and cash management and also investment banking which includes DCM, ECM, Project Finance, advisory, Islamic banking, portfolio manage- ment, as well as experience with structured trade, global market products, and work- ing capital solutions. Under his leadership, Mashreq has launched several industry rsts, including Neo NXT, the first smart teen banking proposition targeting Gen Z and the first phase of Neo NRI, the first non-resident account opening enabled from a UAE banking app. And Cashew, a ‘buy now, pay later’ service provider was launched to consumers in KSA and the UAE as the region’s rst investment of its kind from a traditional bank in a FinTech company. A tech entrepreneur who has revolution- ised the concept of ride sharing, Sheikha initially worked at Trilogy Software followed by a role at Brience, a San Francisco-based mobile experience start-up in March 2000. This was followed by a leadership role at DeviceAn- ywhere in Pakistan where he steered its o shore develop- ment centre. After Keynote Systems acquired DeviceAn- ywhere, he joined Dubai’s McKinsey & Company o ce. He partnered with his former McKinsey colleague Magnus Olsson to launch Careem in 2012, which went on to become a leading technology platform for the region, later acquired by Uber for $3 billion in 2020. Since its acquisition, Careem is moving its focus from mobility towards becoming a super app, helped by a $50 million investment plan to leverage the brand’s strategy that was launched in 2020. In Dubai, Careem provides customers 11 services, including payments, food and grocery delivery, ride-hailing, micro-mobility, payments, and more. With a career trajec- tory that evolved from a clinic super- visor to operations manager, and then group chief operating officer; Laiju boasts over 18 years of experience in leading a people-focused hospital admin- istration. She has spearheaded organisational planning, multi- million-dollar capital projects, and contract negotiations while increasing the brand’s visibility and growth. She also served as a mentor in the Women Leader- ship program at Aster DM Healthcare and for over seven years, has been a member of the Aster DM Group’s senior management committee. Other career highlights include the launch of the 88-bed Medcare Women & Children Hospital, and more recently, Medcare Women & Children Hospital became the first hospital in Dubai to receive the Gold Seal Accreditation as Centre of Excellence for Endometriosis Multidisciplinary Care (COEMEC) by the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), USA. This accreditation is awarded for meeting the highest global standards of medical care for endometriosis. HOSPITALITYBANKINGTRANSPORT HEALTHCARE SHANILA LAIJU28 February 2023 DUBAI 100 8284 83 85 KAREN WAZEN ABDALLAH ABU SHEIKH DJ BLISS CEO PETROCHEM MIDDLE EAST Infl uencer and entrepreneur KAREN WAZEN EYEWEAR Co-founder and CEO ASTRA TECH DJ and actor BLISS INC ENTERTAINMENT Founder of her own sunglasses brand Kar en W azen Ey ew ear , a UNH CR supporter, and an executive board member of Fashion Trust Arabia, Wazen is a fash- ion entrepreneur and in u- encer. As of January , she officially became the first Middle Eastern woman and the rst in uencer to ever be the face and spokesperson of a Roberto Cavalli campaign. She forayed onto the digital space in 16 with her blog Karen’s Choice, and today, boasts 7.9 million followers on her Instagram page. Key brands like Cartier, Dior Beauty, and Breitling sought her out for collaborations and she also graced multiple magazine covers, including Grazia Morocco and L’O ciel Levant. Leveraging her in u- ence to represent the Middle East at events including the Cannes Film Festival, Wazen has been a powerful voice in advocating for refugees and is known to highlight major causes and humanitarian issues with UNHCR, includ- ing visits to refugee camps in northern Lebanon. A serial tech dynamo, Abu Sheik h is considered one of the MEA region’s top tech entrepreneurs as well a global keynote speaker. Known for igniting pioneer- ing innovations that are ahead of their time and are focused on digitisation, sustainability, and mobility, in March , he launched Astra Tech. This UAE-based technology investment and development group set out to disrupt the consumer technology space and chal- lenge the status quo. He is also the CEO and co-founder of BARQ, a tech-driven network of electric vehicles built to serve the MENA region’s last mile delivery sector, and also RIZEK which was launched in , and later acquired by Astra Tech in . As the company moves forward towards launching its Ultra Platform, designed to address ‘plat- form fatigue,’ Astra Tech has received $5 m of support from partners and investors, with plans to merge services, products, and selected consumer technologies. One of the pioneers of the music and nightlife scene in the Middle East, DJ Bliss started out as the only Emirati-born DJ playing the English genre. In the late nineties, he recognised his talent for music and began experimenting with musical mixing. A few years later, he bagged his rst big TV break in the early s as the host on Dubai One’s ‘That’s Entertainment’ show. On an upward trajec- tory, he became the most in demand DJ and host in the nation. This prompted him to launch ‘Bliss Inc Enter- tainment’ which became the cornerstone for UAE’s music entertainment industry. He established an industry network with major multinational music companies including Universal Music and BMG. He also made headlines as the first Emirati DJ and artist to have a number 1 album, Made In Dubai on iTunes, and is now a part of the Netflix reality show, Dubai Bling. Driven by passion and a need to succeed, Mehta established the brand in 1995, and over two decades later, Petrochem has grown to become the largest chemicals distributor in the Middle East and the twelfth largest distributor in the world. Petrochem distribute chemicals across pharmaceutical, oil eld, and paint industries, across 7 countries. His business thrived during the covid pandemic as the demand for isopropyl alcohol, one of the main products the company manufactures, jumped due to the demand in hand sanitis- ers. Mehta’s rst job was at his father’s chemical manu- facturing factory in western India, followed by his own chemical trading business. He relocated to Dubai in 199 , and in ve years, managed to establish a successful chem- ical distribution business by building a state-of-the-art storage terminal for bulk and drum chemicals. Under his leadership, Petrochem Middl e East has no w expanded to include trading and logistics. SOCIAL MEDIATECHNOLOGYENTERTAINMENT ENERGY YOGESH MEHTAarabianbusiness.com 29 DUBAI 100 86 88 87 89 NOUR ARIDA FARAH ZAFAR TAM KHAN Infl uencer, entrepreneur and comedian HEYYY MARKETING Owner and founder GENERATION PEACE CEO LYVELY Actor, athlete and entrepreneur TK MMA & FITNESS A nine-time cover girl with 10.7 million followers on her Instagram page, Arida has collaborated with Sephora, Rimmel, and Boucheron, for whom she is a brand ambassador and spokes- person. She forayed into her career working as a brand manager and buyer for multiple fashion labels, including Frame Denim, Rag & Bone, Theory, and others. She also worked as a buyer at one of the Middle East’s largest retail stores where she picked up insider expertise across consumer behaviour. With her expe- rience as a fashion buyer and her rising influence, Arida aspired to put her fashion industry experi- ence to use. She went on to co-create Generation Peace, a children’s clothing line inspired by her daugh- ter Ayla. Collaborated on with designer Rebecca Zaatar, this sustainable range is more than just fashion, but is meant to spark conversations about equality, tolerance, and consciousness. Transitioning from rock star lawyer to tech entrepreneur, Zafar is leading Lyvely, the first game-changing integrated content and communication platform developed to provide an integrated experience with the features and functions of a professional website, social media platforms, ecommerce, and video/live streaming apps. Lyvely is designed for a Web3 future and o ers their platform users their own digital currency, LVLY for investment purposes, to make purchases, or incentivise fellow creators. Over the past two decades, Zafar has helped create successful billion-dollar corporations which set the foundation for her current position at Lyvely. With over 20 years of experience in the Middle East, she has contrib- uted to the growth and success of key development companies, Omniyat and Al Mazaya Hold- ings. She also held positions with the region’s most promi- nent visionaries and leaders and is known for her ability to structure and grow billion-dol- lar development entities and lead robust teams. A Hollywood actor, successful entre- preneur, and a globally renowned mixed martial arts (MMA) ghter, Khan is the first person ever to bring MMA to Dubai. Well experienced in working with some of the world’s most famous ght- ers, including WWE star Ryback and Amir Khan, he is also the founder of TK MMA & Fitness in Dubai. This state-of-the-art centre o ers a wide range of MMA and fitness sessions, including Brazil- ian jiu jitsu, Muay Thai, boxing, MMA classes, strength training, and more. In 2020, he starred alongside Jackie Chan in ‘Vanguard,’ an action- thriller film that was partially filmed in Dubai. Today, Khan is considered one of the UAE’s biggest pioneers of the sport and is well-respected as a tness in uencer with over half a million followers who continue to be inspired by his healthy lifestyle and motivational tips for opti- mal well-being. One of the biggest social media stars in the Middle East, Dubai-born comedian, and model Bin Baz boasts 5.1 million followers on Insta- gram and over 600K follow- ers on his YouTube channel. Known for posting light- hearted parodies about daily life in the UAE, prior to his foray onto social media in 2013, he was an aspiring foot- baller who played for a major UAE club. Having worked with fellow YouTubers including Money Kicks, Mo Vlogs, Anas Elshayib, and others, Bin Baz is also the founder of ‘Heyyy Marketing’, a leading in uencer market- ing agency, which combines data-driven insights and creative strategy to produce robust relationships between brands and creators. He also appeared in an Etisalat commercial with Hollywood actor Gerard Butler and Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan. Other commercial ventures on his roster include Esquire Middle East, Huda Beauty, Chandelle Jewellery, and Huawei, amongst others. SOCIAL MEDIA MEDIA SPORTSSOCIAL MEDIA ABDULAZIZ BAZ (BIN BAZ)Next >